NBC Washington /

News

Second Arrest Made in NW Double Homicide Chevy Chase couple's car found in NW after it was set on fire

By  JIM IOVINO

Updated 6:25 PM EDT, Thu, Nov 27, 2008

Chevy Chase Double Homicide Suspect Appears in Court

 

Police made a second arrest late Wednesday night in connection with the deaths of a couple in Chevy Chase.

Enlarge Photo

Two people are found dead in a northwest Washington home.

Enlarge Photo

Virginia Spevak, center, pictured in a Voice of America photo.

Enlarge Photo

Michael Spevak pictured in a Voice of America photo.

The bodies of Dr. Michael Spevak, 68, and his wife, 67-year-old Virginia Spevak, were found inside their home Saturday night. Concerned residents had not heard from the couple, who lived in the 5300 block of Belt Road, so they called police to investigate.  Officers found two bodies inside.
 
Angela Hernandez, 20, of Washington, was charged Wednesday night with first-degree felony murder. She was ordered held without bond Thursday. According to police documents, Hernandez told investigators she knew the Spevaks' former foster daughter, "Anna." Hernandez told police she went to rob the Spevaks with two other suspects. She provided telephone cords to tie up the couple, police said.
 
Police announced the arrest of Peiro Emannuel Fuentes Hernandez, of Capitol Heights, Tuesday night.
 
He appeared before a judge Wednesday. Items taken from the Spevaks home, including Dr. Spevak's driver's license, were found in Hernandez's possession, prosecutors said. Prosecutors also referred to his possible gang involvement.
 
Hernandez admitted to being at the Spevaks' home and going there with the intent to rob them, according to charging documents. He was armed with a metal baton and tied up Michael Spevak with a phone cord.
 
Hernandez is not one of four people taken in for questioning Monday after police found evidence linked to the investigation in a backyard in the 600 block of Ingraham Street. However, police believe Hernandez does have a connection to the home.
 
It is also unclear why the killer chose to target the Spevaks. However, police do not believe the victims were chosen at random, Chief Cathy Lanier said Tuesday night.
 
Investigators credit community involvement and detectives' hard work for the arrests.
 
"The detectives worked diligently to interview individuals associated with the home and continued working literally through the night from yesterday," D.C. Police Cmdr. Rodney Parks said.
 
Police found the couple's car -- a blue 2005 Toyota Scion -- in the 500 block of Ingraham Street NW. The vehicle had been set on fire. Nearby, investigators found what appeared to be a safe, and police confirmed that items were stolen from the Spevaks' home.
 
The Washington Post reported that Virginia Spevak was bound on a couch. She died of sharp force injuries to her neck, chest and abdomen and blunt force trauma to her head. Michael Spevak was found on the floor nearby and suffered sharp and blunt force injuries to his neck and head.
 
Dr. Spevak was a well-regarded psychiatrist in the area.  His wife was active in D.C. government as well as community organizations.

Comments (84)

Sort by: Most Recent | Oldest
  • just somebody...... Sunday, Nov 30 at 6:33 PM FLAG COMMENT OMG!!!! this is not the first crime of the history!!! and all races kill and worst than this , and not all Hispanic are illegal and not all are like this guy. I feel very sorry for this couple and family ..
  • Taco Bell RuleZ Saturday, Nov 29 at 5:53 PM FLAG COMMENT Why are you so certain Anonymous is White? I didn't seem to see that in his comments. Hmmm who is the racist?
  • Anonymous Friday, Nov 28 at 8:42 PM FLAG COMMENT Hey Anonynmous! You wrote that they found a suspect that murdered that poor Biranna Denison. girl. WHAT ! iIt was a white man! So what do you think we should do to him...samething you suggested about "loser latinos" Golly gee! That guy looks to me that he is as white as snow! Because to me he is also a WHITE TRASH LOSER COWARD! AND HE DOES HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD! And you don't mind having your tax dollars house him i ... MORE >
  • Anonymous Friday, Nov 28 at 6:32 PM FLAG COMMENT They should take these criminals and send them back to their country and serve time in their jail. They will burn.
  • Homey Depot Friday, Nov 28 at 4:53 PM FLAG COMMENT Si I am de latino. I make de flowers grow. I lub cutting grass and doing de jobs my darky friends won't do. De toilet needs cleening too? Take a chili pepper and put it into these border jumpers rectums. feel de burn

Post a Comment

Name


Comment - You have 2000 characters left

Enter both words below, separated by a space, in the field located to the lower right. Can't read the words below? Try different words or an audio captcha. What's this?